PL
50-65 years of age | Experience level: over 5 safaris
Everything perfectly organised from start to finish
Thanks to Anne and all the team at Amazing Memories Safaris for making our (my son and I) first trip and safari to Kenya a great experience. All the pre-trip itinerary options and selections were done very well; in fact I had initially booked to travel in March, but managed to break my leg in February, so had to change our travel dates to July. Anne reorganised the trip with no problem, finding us accommodation in what was of course an already mostly fully booked peak safari season. Our trip did not get off to the best start as we missed our connection from Europe to Nairobi due to a late incoming flight. Anne reorganised the team to pick us up at the airport very (very) early the morning after our scheduled arrival no problem. The safari part (6 nights: 1 in Treetops, 1 in Lake Nakuru, 4 in Masai Mara) all ran like clockwork, our driver John was excellent as both our guide and driver. All we had to worry about was getting to the hotel receptions each morning and afternoon, where John was always waiting, ready to go. In terms of game sightings, we saw all the Big Five and many other species, including cheetah. In the Masai Mara, we saw 28 lions, including 18 on one day, in 3 different sightings, all very close up. Of course, sometimes it is the luck of the day, but we were very happy with what we saw. While we joined the sightings where many vehicles had already gathered which is normal (for lions, leopard and cheetah - the drivers / guides keep in touch by radio to see where the action is), John also had the patience to look in many areas on our own, away from the main tracks, and this produced a leopard only a few feet from us, which we were able to enjoy by ourselves. Once again, many thanks to Anne and the team.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Richard is a great driver and guide
Richard was our driver and guide for Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara. He was very knowledgeable, polite and we felt safe and in good hands with him the entire time. Highly recommend.
OM
50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
No booking, harassed for 2 days, and ended up paying 3,500 US$ for camps we belive not as good!
We booked our family safari in April for 9-16 July a 6 night safari and it was confirmed by Martha and a deposit sent. We chose Atua Enkop Africa Luxury Camps which Martha confirmed.
Two days before we left we thought we would check that the bookings in the camps were all OK as I read an article that said there were some operators in Tanzania that were not reliable. We contacted Atua Enkop Africa Luxury Camps owner of our 3 camps and were advised there was no booking. We immediately contacted Martha at Orongai and then started a catastrophe where she blamed Atua Enkop Africa Luxury Camps and that the booking was there. Martha said she would sort it so we flew to Kenya.
On arrival we went to the hotel we booked initially on our own and met Martha and found indeed we had no camp bookings and it ended after two stressful days of Orongai telling us nonsense and upping the price all the time and time running out and no option that we had to stay in totally different camps and had to pay Orongai another 3,500 dollars. At this late stage booking on our own was not possible and we were there so we had no choice.
On our return home I contacted Atua Enkop Africa Luxury Camps and they reconfirmed no booking was ever made and they had never heard of Orongai Africa Safari. At the best Orongai Africa Safari are incompetent and at worst and what we believe they are absolute crooks and a disgrace to the Kenya Tourism industry.
CH
50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Unforgetable Dream
More than expected.
Seriously and very professional organisation. Excellent guide (Maulidi was simply top). Clear and speedy Communication. Top lodges and tended camps. An experience to suggest and to repeat. Thank you Savannah Explorers!
20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Best Valentine's in Kenya
I decided to take my long term girlfriend to Kenya for our valentine.
Lorna Safaris were very fast and efficient in replying to emails and questions. I told Judy that I would propose to my girlfriend on our second night and she arranged a perfect Bush dinner for us. I was so happy when she said yes.
I recommend Lorna Safaris to anyone who wants to have exceptional services unforgettable experience.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Fantastic experience
Just coming back, Soul of Tanzania made our trip a lifetime experience, esp thanks to our guide, Ahmed, who beard in his mind every road in Serengeti, and is rich of knowledge of animals, which made us to see so many lions. We can tell that he loved his job, everyday he drove a lot and show no tired, and he also knows a lot about photographing, always helping us to catch good light. BTW, we enjoyed our warm lunch and even wines, wow, thank you so much, Soul of Tanzania. Highly recommend to my friends.
CN
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable agent!
Just coming back, Spirit of Kenya arranged everything perfectly for us ,esp thanks to Susana and Jose who answered my tons of mails with so much patience, and also our guide,George,who reacted so quickly that morning when we asked him to send us to the take off point of hot air balloon safari，which is obviously that the hot air balloon company forgot to take us. Killed some rest hours of George. And he also give us a really near sight of a group of lions. So much thanks. Fantastic experience! Definitely recommend to my friends.
US
35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unbelievably Incredible
I am not quite sure what I expected, it was our first safari and we brought our children, age 9 and 11. I was worried about it and them. Looking back now it all seems silly, not only was there no reason to worry, it was one of the most amazing trips of our life. Obviously the animals are amazing and that's why people go, but the things you don't expect are what make Zikomo a trip of a lifetime. The Lodge with a pool table and a bar and a pool and loungers and hammocks and badminton is so much fun. Willie and Eliot and Sargent who not only make it fun but are so respectful and kind and helpful, going so far as to entertain and interact with the children, absolutely above and beyond. The chefs, Wilson, I think, that not only serve you a three or four course meal while dining at the lodge but if you go on an all-day safari you have the option of a full meal at a fully set table with every convenience of home and food that is incredible delicious. No convenience spared. Not travel food, that's for sure. To Aman that walked us to and from our Chalet to make sure the children were safe and nothing scared them, who was kind and even relocated a little critter to elsewhere so my little girl good get by, and explained every sound or grunt made by an animal that my children asked about on the way. Our Chalet that went way above what we expected, I thought we would kind of be roughing it, well large bathrooms with plenty of hot water on demand, enough for a family of four, plus some, comfy beds, beautifully furnished with one of a kind bedding locally made, which I thought was so wonderful that they supported the local villages and schools, was not roughing it, not even kind of. Our Safari guide not only impressed me, a knowledgeable animal lover but also my 11 year old son who was determined to stump Geoffrey our guide, as he knew the answers to every questions asked, the dozens of different birds, why the elephant was dancing at us, literally bending down, bowing, trumpeting and spinning, why the crocodiles don't bother the Hippos, and how thatch stops rain, you get the idea. To the grounds which were so perfectly located that each and every of 9 days there showed us an unbelievable sunset and an animal interaction to write a story about, whether baboons racing across our lanai, to Cheeky the elephant helping to reduce the tree droppings across the grass, or the lion roar that invoked shivers and trembles down my spine it sounded so close. The proximity to the park and the access to at least a hundred different animals is almost unbelievably perfect. I am in awe of what Zikomo and Zambia can offer someone who travels to see it. I can’t imagine staying anywhere else whether we brings the children or not next time as I can’t believe anything could be better and I am afraid anywhere else would just pale in comparison. Victory thank you for enriching our lives and our memories with something so unforgettable, we can’t wait to get back.
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All in all a fantastic experience!
4.5/5 stars
We had an amazing experience on our private 8 day camping/lodge safari with Furahia (Tarangire NP, Ngorongoro crater and Serengeti NP with a day in Mto wa Mbu on the way). Our guide and cook were fantastic and the animals we saw blew our expectations away. Honestly, our guide was the best, comparing notes with others on safari we knew we were getting very high quality viewing and his decades of experience really showed in the Serengeti.
On the administrative side, we were able to make a detailed itinerary via email and communication was superb prior to the trip. We also met the owner when we stayed in Mto wa Mbu and he explained the good work the company does that supports the community. We did realize during the safari that our guide did not receive the detailed itinerary that we had made so we had to request and negotiate with the guide and cook the arrival and leave times some days. It can be tiring for the guide especially we understand but we wanted to make the most of our time on game drives so had the times written on the itinerary. The itinerary was also a bit ambiguous about the suggested tipping amount - per car or just the guide.
The campsites were as expected, and the camping gear that we hired was comfortable. The jeep had big windows and was a little worn both inside and out but we had no problems nonetheless. The owner was excellent with flexibility for our campsite in the Serengeti to allow us the best chance to see the wildebeest migration. This showed his dedication to our enjoyment and we really appreciated his efforts. The campsite location proved to be invaluable this season, when the migration was not as far north as expected so we were able to stay central and see the best of everything.
In the end we were extremely happy with our Safari and want to go back!
US
20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Excellent service
I was very impressed with how Peter communicated with me through the entire process of planning the trip. He has various customizable options for anything that was required by us according to our budget. He is one of the most professional persons I've come across with our travel experience around the world. Accommodation and food at the places we stayed was well worth the budget. You can book a Safari with with Africa McTours and need not worry about anything. Our Safari driver Anthony was a very nice person too, very professional and made sure we were well taken care of during the trip. We thorougly enjoyed our game drive. Will definitely book with Peter on our next Safari trip.